Festive Experiences on the Las Vegas Strip
This holiday season, Las Vegas is hosting several family-friendly attractions, offering festive cheer both on the Strip and in the great outdoors.
Unique Museum Attractions
Also on the Strip, the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Luxor Hotel & Casino has been enhanced with elegant holiday decor on its Grand Staircase for festive photo opportunities. For younger visitors, the exhibit is debuting a new interactive experience, the Titanic Kids Adventure Tour: The Cat, the Bear, & the Boat, which is a hands-on scavenger hunt through the museum’s historical artifacts. Additionally, Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium offers an unconventional holiday event, Santa in the Shipwreck, that combines festive cheer with a unique aquatic experience. The highlight of the event is the daily “Diving Santa” farewell show, where a diver dressed as Santa enters the 1.3-million-gallon shipwreck exhibit to swim among sharks, rays, and sea turtles while wearing a protective chainmail suit.
Immersive Indoor Displays
The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens has unveiled its spectacular, complimentary display, All Aboard the Holiday Bells and Whistles, running until early January 2026. This whimsical, train-inspired installation features sparkling decor, a walk-through Bellagio Express train, and an 18-foot Christmas tree, complete with the return of the Peppermint Express for holiday treats.
Play Playground Las Vegas has launched Candied Land, a festive winter takeover featuring holiday decor and oversized games running through mid-January. The experience offers a nostalgic atmosphere for teens and adults to reconnect through seasonal music and a specialized menu of candy-inspired cocktails and mocktails.
Holiday Shows with a Twist
The Tournament of Kings show at Excalibur transforms into a holiday spectacular called ‘Twas the Knight, successfully blending its signature medieval jousting and action with a festive winter atmosphere. The production fully immerses guests by featuring cast members in holiday-specific attire, beginning and ending with Christmas music, incorporating audience participation in seasonal songs, and adding the unique element of Merlin’s magical snowfall. The immersive holiday experience is completed with a seasonally tailored dining experience that maintains the show’s hearty, king’s-table tradition, featuring an herb-roasted chicken centerpiece complemented by festive flavors like a warm, seasonal pumpkin pastry.
Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall is once again hosting its annual winter attraction, the Mystic Falls Park holiday display, through January 1, 2026. This festive favorite, a tradition since 1994, transforms the atrium into a sparkling wonderland with over 26,000 lights, whimsical seasonal décor, and an 18-foot Christmas tree. Guests can enjoy the immersive, family-friendly environment, which is highlighted by a captivating nine-minute laser light show running daily.
Winter Wonderland Attractions
Fontainebleau Las Vegas has launched its 2025 holiday season festivities with the grand return of the Oasis Ice Rink, the Strip’s largest real ice rink, running nightly from November 24th, 2025, through January 4th, 2026. The opening was marked by two celebrity appearances: Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter formally cut the ribbon to open the 7,500 square-foot rink on November 29th, followed by Vegas Golden Knights Captain Mark Stone, who lit the central Christmas tree on December 1st, where he also mingled with fans. The Oasis Ice Rink, which is free for public entry, though skate rentals and fire pit reservations are available, serves as a hub for winter entertainment, including special holiday movie nights featuring a new seasonal menu with festive bites and non-alcoholic drinks like specialty Dirty Sodas, plus watch parties for the Golden Knights, NFR, and NFL games. In addition to performances like “Nutcracker On Ice” by the Las Vegas Ice Theatre, Fontainebleau is offering discounted stays with rink credit and free parking through the end of the year for Nevada residents and Fontainebleau Rewards members.
Unique Holiday Adventures
Beyond the resorts, Lake Mead Mohave Adventures is offering a distinctive way to celebrate the season with the return of Rafting with Santa. This family-friendly, three-hour river journey runs on select dates in December, taking guests on a 12-mile motor-assisted raft trip down the Colorado River through the Black Canyon. The special tour includes Santa and his helpers piloting the rafts, complimentary hot chocolate, Christmas music, a picnic lunch, a collectible ornament, and photo opportunities with Santa, all while surrounded by majestic canyon scenery. This outdoor adventure provides a memorable holiday outing for families looking to explore the natural beauty surrounding Las Vegas.
Nevada Museum and Train Celebrations
The Nevada Division of Museums and History is offering a variety of festive, family-friendly events, including the return of the Santa Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City on weekends, which features a 40-minute ride with Santa, caroling, and photo opportunities. Additionally, the Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas is hosting the Holidays Around the World program on December 6th, which highlights diverse cultural traditions through crafts and performances, and the Treasures of the Southwest Trunk Show on December 12th and 13th, showcasing artwork and jewelry from local artisans.
